Hundreds of Caucasians of Javanese descent who are in a number of countries such as Suriname, New Caledonia, Singapore, Africa, Malaysia, America and the Netherlands, arrived in Ponorogo’s hometown, Thursday (15/06/2023).
The 250 Global Dispora groups in Ponorogo are part of the 5th Javanese Diaspora trip in a number of cities on the island of Java, one of which is Ponorogo.
The arrival of the group led by Ambassador (Ambassador) of Suriname Erick Rahmat Moertabat was immediately greeted by Ponorogo Regent Sugiri Sancoko and Deputy Regent (Wabup) Lisdyarita complete with Reog Ponorogo and Jaranan arts.
The Suriname Ambassador said he and his entourage felt proud and amazed at the reception given by the Ponorogo Regency Government. He did not expect to receive such a warm welcome. This made him even more proud to be part of the descendants of the Javanese in Suriname.
“We are very proud, we did not expect to be welcomed by seeing the Reog Ponorogo show firsthand. This makes us proud to be descendants of the Javanese,” he said.
Erick explained, the 5th Javanese Diaspora Global trip aims to get to know the island of Java again for its descendants who are now in a number of countries. One of them is Ponorogo, many residents in Suriname have their ancestors from Ponorogo. His party wants to reintroduce the beauty of Ponorogo to the Global Diaspora, especially Suriname so that good relations and cooperation can be established later.
“I am of complete Javanese descent. My grandparents are from Garut, West Java, and my father is from Surabaya, East Java. We want to get to know Ponorogo better so we can work together in the future,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Ponorogo Regent Sugiri Sancoko said he was very proud of the arrival of the Global Diaspora group. Especially tonight this group of Caucasians of Javanese descent will stay overnight in Ponorogo. He hopes, with the arrival of the Global Diaspora, he hopes that Reog will become more global. And Ponorogo tourism can be seen internationally so that it can bring in foreign tourists in Ponorogo.
“We are very proud. Hopefully this visit can be a momentum for good cooperation in the tourism sector. International tourists can visit Ponorogo and see the beauty of Reog City,” he said.
Sugiri admitted that currently his party has sent the Reog Ponorogo art package, and the dance tourorial. He wants in the future where there are Javanese or Indonesians in that country, there will be Reog Ponorogo art there, so that the mission of globalizing Reog can be realized.
“So that Reog Ponorogo can be increasingly recognized in the world and in all countries,” he concluded. adv/man
